Israel asked Google and Amazon to apply a secret code to control data, reports The Guardian

Documents reveal that in 2021, Israel made a $1.2 billion deal with Google and Amazon, requiring the implementation of a secret mechanism to control the transfer of data to foreign courts. This is reported by The Guardian.

Nuances of the Agreement

The mechanism, known as “wink,” involved encoded signals through payments that were to be made within 24 hours. The amounts of these payments corresponded to the telephone codes of the countries that received the data.

Israeli officials expressed concerns that the companies might succumb to pressure and restrict access to their services if it was related to human rights violations in the occupied territories.

The contract also prohibited Google and Amazon from restricting access of Israeli government and military institutions to cloud services, even if it contradicted the terms of service.

Companies’ Response

Google and Amazon categorically deny evading legal obligations. A Google representative emphasized that the idea of evading obligations to the US government or any other country is false.

The documents highlight the strategic importance of Israel’s control over data, considering the risk of access through foreign court requests.